6 Self-Care Tips for the Holidays

Dec 19, 2017

Photo credit: Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

As you’re in the midst of the holiday season, don’t forget to stop and take a moment for yourself. In the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, office parties, and spreading cheer with family and friends, you still need to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

You, too, need to nurture yourself for your mind and body. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first. Take time away to:

Meditate

Meditation is an effective stress reducer. Although this time of year is festive, it can be stressful with all of the social commitments and expectations of gift giving. Stress releases the hormone, cortisol, which affects sleep, depression, mental clarity, anxiety, blood pressure, skin conditions, and more.

Meditation doesn’t have to be elaborate. You can meditate anywhere. Focus on your breathing, a happy place, or a happy time in your life. Remain in the moment for a few minutes. The stress will begin to melt away.

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Bathe

A relaxing bath helps you unwind, detox, and recharge. Bathing reduces anxiety, stress, improves your mood and sleep. If you bathe in Dead Sea salts or oatmeal, it also helps relieve skin conditions due to stress.

Journaling

Make it a daily practice. Journaling is healing. It allows you to address your thoughts and feelings, both positive and negative. Journaling improves your mood. You can discover new things about yourself through journaling. Make journaling simple and easy. Write freestyle. No one’s grading your grammar, spelling or sentence structure.

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Read a Book

“I would put books on par with chocolate, because a good book is delicious.” ~Nikki Giovanni

Books offer escapism. You can go around the world, travel through time, and meet interesting people between the pages of a book. A book is the only place you can happily get lost.

Photo credit: Carolyn V. on Unsplash

Sit Quietly

Find a quiet space to power-down your phone, laptop, tablet, and yourself. Grab a cup of chamomile tea and enjoy the solitude.